Jessica Young wants to be president -- of her college, that is.

The senior philosophy student at Spelman College has a love so strong for the institution that she molds her life by its credo: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

To start, Young became a pioneer in journalism.

Because of her persistence, the historically black college for women will offer paid positions at the school’s newspaper, the Spelman Spotlight, for the first time in campus history.

“I felt there really should have been an incentive,” Young said.

Through the relationship she developed with the president of the Student Government Association, Young made it happen, along with other changes.

“I’ve made a constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations,” Young said proudly. “Because we will be getting paid, I had to build some kind of structure.”

Young was eager to make her mark on the newsroom at Spelman. The only job open was business manager, so she took it. She also did some reporting, and it was not long before she became managing editor, another step toward a bigger goal – becoming editor in chief.

The Atlanta native said her father, who reported and produced news for CNN, sparked her interest in journalism. She started college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but transferred to Spelman, where she has furthered her passion.

“Going to Spelman was, by far, the biggest decision I had to make,” Young said. “At Spelman, I figured out what I wanted to do with my life.”

To Young, journalism is an outlet to use her knowledge and resources to make a difference.

“Being a journalist is almost the most significant part of communicating anything to a community.”

Spelman has given Young her purpose and success. And she plans to give back in a major way.

DIAMOND WASHINGTON